WASHINGTON, D.C.—Good afternoon, and welcome to today’s executive session.  We have a full docket today and some very important bills up for consideration: bills that will help grow our economy, secure our waterways, and preserve the health of our marine ecosystems.

I’d like to begin with S. 1657, the Sport Fishing Restoration and Recreational Boating Act of 2011.  This bill reauthorizes a federal program that preserves and restores fishing habitats for our Nation’s sport fishermen.  Some of the best fishing in the world is right here in the United States, as I know some of my colleagues here can attest.  Just ask the millions of anglers and fisherman and they’ll tell you how vitally important it is that we keep our rivers, lakes and streams pristine and safe.  The wildlife recreation industry supports more than 2 million jobs nationwide while providing recreational opportunities, and 18,000 of those jobs are in my home state of West Virginia alone.  Certainly, anyone can see this is a great investment.

We also have two important authorizations to consider: the Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013 and the Maritime Administration Authorization Act of 2012.  As any massive natural disaster on our Nation’s Coasts proves, the Coast Guard is crucial to our public safety, economic security, and environment.  It is our duty to make sure the Coast Guard has the resources, statutory authority, and other support necessary to perform its missions.  And our Maritime Administration is equally important in strengthening the Nation’s marine transportation system.  Marine transportation contributes more than $10 billion per year to the national economy and sustains more than 265,000 jobs.  

Today, we will also consider numerous bills to help protect our Nation’s precious aquatic ecosystems and wildlife.  Senator Inouye’s bill, the Trash Free Seas Act of 2011, will help address the negative impacts trash in our oceans has on the marine environment, navigation safety, and the economy.  Senator Cantwell’s bill, the Pacific Salmon Stronghold Conservation Act of 2011, will establish essential public-private partnerships to conserve the Nation’s salmon strongholds.  And Senator Snowe’s bill, S. 1701, will reauthorize a program that serves as the federal government’s research and response framework for harmful algal blooms.  I look forward to the bill sponsors discussing them in more detail.

And last but not least, we have a number of key nominations to approve today, including key positions at the Federal Maritime Commission, Amtrak, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the Coast Guard.

So with that, I will turn to Senator Hutchison.

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